Beauty Tips: Safe Tanning

With JENELLE CLEARY

The days of lathering yourself in cooking oil, sitting on a banana lounge and frying your skin is definitely over.

The damage that the sun's rays cause our bodies is widely known, but this doesn't mean you have to go 'without glow' throughout summer or winter.

The range of skin-tanning products this season has come a long way from nightmarish streaky legs and orange elbows.

Preparation is the key to getting a genuine safe tan - de-fuzzing, exfoliating your skin with loofah and shower gel, then moisturising will mean that you won't end up with an uneven result.

Don't want to end up with orange elbows and knees?

Simply go lightly when applying the cream to these areas. As they are drier, they take to the tan easily. Moisturise them well before application and you should get a good, even result.

Tanners are availiable in gels, creams, powders and sprays. Bronzing powders and gels are better-suited to your face if you aren't brave enough to apply the cream and wait for the surprise result. Either way, you can adjust how deep the tan will look by simply applying more.

It is important to remember to still apply your SPF sunscreen over the fake tan and carry on with the normal sun protection regime.